First Presbyterian Church

History of Our Church

The First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula, Mississippi, was founded as the Scranton Presbyterian Church in April 1890, under the leadership of the Reverend D.O Byers of the Moss Point Presbyterian Church and Dr. William David Bragg, a local physician.

Until 1891, the congregation met at the Methodist church at which time a new wooden building was constucted on Canty Street. This building burned in 1895, but was soon replaced by a brick edifice. In 1955, the congregation moved to its present location. On Sunday, December 19, 1982, after enlargement and extensive renovation, the congregation first gathered in the present sanctuary.

Much of the church's early history is bleak. Examination of the Session's minutes makes it clear that it is only by God's faithfulness that we have endured and prospered. Mindful of that, Psalm 119:90 ("Your faithfulness continues through all generations...") was chosen as the text for the church's centennial activities in 1990.

Dr. Arthur M. Schneider, Jr. was called to this church in 1947. His pastoral gifts and accomplishments to the whole community have become legendary. He led us for over 30 years during times of social change with courage, gentleness, and humilty.

Dr. R. Leslie Holmes was called in 1978, following Dr. Schneider's retirement. Dr. Holmes, an immigrant from Northern Ireland, charmed us with his energy, warmth, and wit. His life story and journey to our church serves as a lesson in both God's faithfulness and man's faith.

Dr. John Wright Coker, Jr. was called as our pastor in 1986. With gifts of leadership, proclamation, and organization, Jay built effectively on the work of his predecessors. His ministry was a time of church growth, expansion of church activities, and congregational enthusiasm.

In 1995, the Rev. Charles Wiley Roberts was called as our pastor. His ministry was characterized by a sweet gentleness and infectious optimism and enthusiasm.

In May 2005, Dr. Roberts was called back to Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta and was succeeded by Interim Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Roger Green, who ws soon to be faced by unforeseen and unprecedented challenges.

On Monday morning, August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated our community. The church received 2-3 feet of water and the homes of most members were heavily damaged or destroyed. Nevertheless, on Sunday, September 4, a small group gathered outside at the church to praise and worship our God. Dr. Green used Psalm 40 as his text ("I waited for the Lord; who bent down and heard my cry, drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp, set my feet upon rock, steadied my steps, and put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God...").

Our community and church were inundated with love, support, and supplies and we were constantly amazed at the kindness of strangers from all over the U.S. Our three living former pastors (Drs. Holmes, Coker, & Roberts) visited more than once and sent substantial support from their churches and elsewhere. During this period we received the blessings of leadership, encouragement, and love from Dr. Green.

On Palm Sunday 2006, we were able to worship in the restored sanctuary once again and on April 29, 2006, the church's 116th anniversary, the Reverend Patrick Clinton Regen was called to become our 11th Installed Pastor. Following a short interim by the Rev. Dr. Edward K. Beckes, Mr. Regen first preached on August 6, 2006.

During his tenure, our recovery continued. Full-time hurricane recovery site leaders were installed and over 1,500 volunteers from around the nation were hosted by the church through March 2009.

In 1990, the challenges that this area and our church and its members would face in 2005, could not be imagined. Now, we have not only experienced the awesome power of God, but are firsthand witnesses to His incredible faithfulness to His people.

Roll of Pastors



History of Our Denomination

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has approximately 2.4 million members, 11,100 congregations and 14,000 ordained and active ministers. Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him. Calvin did much of his writing from Geneva, Switzerland. From there, the Reformed movement spread to other part of Europe and the British Isles. Many of the early Presbyterians in America came from England, Scotland and Ireland.

Presbyterians have featured prominently in United States history. The Rev. Francis Makemie, who arrived in the U.S. from Ireland in 1683, helped to organize the first American Presbytery at Philadelphia in 1706. The first General Assembly was held in the same city in 1789. This Assembly was convened by the Rev. John Witherspoon, the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence. The Rev. William Tennent founded a ministerial "log college" in New Jersey that evolved into Princeton University. Other Presbyterian ministers, such as the Rev. Jonathan Edwards and the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, were driving forces in the so-called "Great Awakening," a revivalist movement in the early 18th century.

The Presbyterian church in the United States has split and parts have reunited several times. Currently the largest group is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which has its national offices in Louisville, KY. It was formed in 1983 as a result of reunion between the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS), the so-called "southern branch," and the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA), the so-called "northern branch." Other Presbyterian churches in the United States include: the Presbyterian Church in America, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Information from pcusa.org.